Venezuela Roundup: US threats, coup accusation, illegal mining

Maduro warns against new threats from US

Venezuela's President Maduro has raised concerns about new threats from the US, such as sanctions and economic aggression, in response to the US expressing reservations about the country's electoral process. Maduro who couldn't accept the threat of sanctions on Good Friday took to X to share his displeasure. “The US empire chose Good Friday to threaten Venezuela once again. They threaten to drive the nails of sanctions, blockade, and economic aggression against… our country. The empire, in its arrogance, believing itself to be the owner of the world, believes it owns our people,” said Maduro on X, formerly Twitter. According to the Daily News Egypt, this has led to the passing of a new act to extend coercive measures against the country.

Coup plot accusation

Attorney General for Venezuela, Tarek William Saab has criticised the Organisation of American States (OAS) and its head, Luis Almagro for 'betraying' the country and supporting coup plots. The head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office explains that the Secretary-General of the OAS prioritises defending freedom of conspiracy over freedom of expression, Prensa Latina reports. This was in response to Almagro's condemnation of the harassment of Voz Media journalist Orlando Avendaño who the Venezuelan government accuses of inciting hatred in the country.

Clamp down on illegal mining

In a bid to protect its environment, Venezuela has expelled over 10,000 illegal miners from nature reserves in the south, as part of Operation Roraima 2024. This initiative aims to halt illegal mining in the environmentally significant sites of the Amazon region. According to AZERTAC, the head of the Strategic Operational Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Domingo Hernandez Larez, shared on X that the expulsion of the miners was carried out through a "safe route with due respect for human rights."

Surge in wildfires

Venezuela is experiencing a surge in wildfires due to a climate change-driven drought affecting the Amazon rainforest region. A recent report by WION reveals that the country recorded more than 30,200 fire points from January to March 2024. This projection marks the highest for the period since 1999.

Approval of law against fascism

The Venezuelan National Assembly has approved a law against fascism, which includes measures to dissolve social and political organisations promoting fascist ideologies and prohibits individuals with fascist ideologies from running for public office. Critics argue that the law is a tool for the government to suppress political opposition, Nova.news reports.